Thank you from the Governor’s School Foundation
The
Governor's School Foundation would like to offer thanks to all the parents,
alumni, alumni parents, and local businesses who supported the Foundation this
year. The donated funds helped the
Foundation in its mission of enriching the educational experience of MLWGS students,
providing training for teachers, and acquiring new technology for the MLWGS facility. These enhancements don’t happen without continued
support.
The
Governor’s Schools Foundation would also like to thank all those generous folks
who gave of their time to serve on a committee, make calls at a phonathon,
prepare food for a function, or reach out to the wider Richmond community. Once again, the Governor’s School Foundation can’t
do it without you!
So far
this year, the Foundation's Annual Fund Campaign has raised $350,309 for the
school. Overall current parent participation stands at 53%, and the parent
participation by class is:
• Seniors: 45%
• Juniors: 48%
• Sophomores: 60%
• Freshmen: 56%
The Governor’s School Foundation’s Annual Fund Campaign supports programs for
students, grants for teacher continuing education, and special projects for
facilities and equipment. To donate online, please click here.
MLWGS Class of 2015 Baccalaureate
Seniors and their Family Invited!
The MLWGS
Class of 2015 Baccalaureate will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015, 6:30
p.m., at Congregation Beth Ahabah, 1111 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA
23220. Seniors and their family are invited to take a moment to reflect
on their years at MLWGS and look forward to their future with speakers Rabbi
Dovid Asher, Keneseth Beth Israel; Mister Vijay Ramnarain, Hindu Center of
Virginia; Father Matt Kiehl, and Imam Ammar Amonette, Islamic Center of
Virginia.
The
ceremony ends at 7:30pm and is followed by the Faculty Lounge Lizards
at the Dogwood Dell!
MLWGS Class of 2015 Baccalaureate
Only 2 More Volunteers Needed!
The MLWGS
Class of 2015 Baccalaureate will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015, 6:30 p.m.,
at Congregation Beth Ahabah, 1111 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220. A few
volunteers are needed to make this event special for the MLWGS graduates. Please arrive no later than 5:45 p.m. and
check in with the Volunteer Coordinator located in the downstairs assembly
room. Thank you in advance for the willingness
to help!!! Questions? Contact Samantha
at sdmier@verizon.net.
Interested in
volunteering in the DRAGON’S LAIR?
The Dragon’s Lair store is looking for
parents, grandparents, or family friends interested in volunteering in the
Dragon’s Lair store in the
2015-2016 school year. The store
is open during lunch (approximately 11:30-12:30) on Tuesdays and Fridays weekly. We are also
considering opening the store one morning a month starting approximately 30
minutes before the bell until approximately 30 minutes after the bell.
These morning openings will offer accessibility to those who are unable to take
time in the middle of the day to visit the store. Additionally, the store
is open for special events such as Fall Festival, Freshmen Registration,
etc.
If you are interested in any of these
opportunities, please email shannon.adee@comcast.net to place your name on the volunteer
interest list. Please include name, phone number, preferred email
address, and available time slots. Please note that you do not have to be
available for every week. For example: You may volunteer at lunch on the
1st Tuesday of the
month or the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Whatever time you
are able to give is appreciated.
FINAL SENIOR REMINDERS
Senior Exams:
Monday-Wednesday, June 8 –
10
Check with
students about which exams he or she will be required to take. All exams
and any outstanding coursework need to be completed by June 10 in order for a student to walk at
graduation. Note that June 10 is also an early dismissal day.
Senior “Check Out” Forms &
Senior
Financial Obligations:
Due on or before Wednesday, June 10
The “check out”
form will be given to students after APs are over. Each student is
responsible for collecting the required signatures and returning the form to
the School Counseling Office by Wednesday, June 10. Outstanding MLWGS obligations
must be paid to Mrs. Crystal Charity in the main office prior to 3:00 p.m. on June 11. NOTE: All teachers’ signatures need to be
obtained before going to Mrs. Charity because she
takes all monies from each student for all obligations (lost or damaged book
fines, etc.) and writes one receipt for him/her.
Seniors who have unpaid financial obligations
and/or who have not returned the check-out form will not be allowed to
participate in the graduation ceremony. Any outstanding VCU library fines must be paid directly to the VCU
library. If the latter applies to your student, a paid receipt
from the VCU library should be turned in to Mrs. Zona Hicks in the School
Counseling Office to clear the account.
Senior Picnic: Thursday, June 11, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
The Senior Picnic is the first official
alumni event for the Class of 2015, and it is sponsored by the Governor's
School Foundation and Alumni Office. The event will be held at the Carillon
Shelter at Byrd Park, and students are asked to sign-up to bring desserts,
drinks, paper goods, and chips. The Foundation will be providing the main meal.
Any parent who wishes to help serve at this event, please contact class
sponsor, Kerry Sheppard, ksheppard@gsgis.k12.va.us,
354-6800 ext.3304.
Baccalaureate Service: Thursday, June 11,
6:30 p.m.
The
Baccalaureate Service will be held at Beth
Ahabah (1109 West Franklin
Street). Sponsored by the MLWGS PTSA, the inter-faith service begins
promptly at 6:30
p.m. and will last one
hour. Students are not required to attend, but this traditional and
memorable event celebrates finishing one chapter in their lives and beginning
the next. Information regarding line-up and parking will be included in
the official invitation from the PTSA, which will arrive by mail. Seniors are reminded to bring both
cap and gown for the ceremony.
The Faculty Lounge Lizards at Dogwood Dell
Thursday, June 11, 8:00 p.m.
After the Baccalaureate
Service, the entire MLWGS family is invited to hear the fantastic faculty band,
The Faculty Lounge Lizards, perform at Dogwood Dell. It promises to be a
great evening of music and a fun way to celebrate the friendships formed during
the last four years! Bring folding chairs or a blanket to sit on.
Additional information will be posted on the MLWGS website.
Graduation Rehearsal: Monday, June 15, 9:00 a.m.
Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street
Graduation
rehearsal is held at the Altria Theater. Parking for
graduation is available at the VCU parking deck for a minimal fee (entrances
are on Cherry and Laurel Streets.) Please adhere to posted street
parking signs as ticketing and towing are strictly enforced. Seniors must arrive no
later than 8:45
a.m. and report to the
downstairs ballroom (enter through the Main Street entrance towards the rear of
the building). Rehearsal will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
ANY STUDENT WHO MISSES REHEARSAL WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WALK IN THE ACTUAL
GRADUATION CEREMONY, so
parents are asked to please work with students to make sure they are on
time. Practice is usually completed by 11:30 a.m. or
so; but given that we will take as long as needed to perfect the process,
please do not plan anything that requires your student to leave early or be
gone by a certain time. This rehearsal is crucial to the success of the
graduation ceremony.
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS AND PARKING TIPS FOR ALTRIA THEATER GRADUATION REHEARSAL.
Graduation
Monday, June 15, 3:00 p.m., Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street
Graduates must
arrive at the downstairs ballroom by 2:00 p.m. For organizational reasons, this area is off
limits to parents, relatives, and friends; MLWGS appreciates your
understanding. Cap, gown, and tassel are the most important items for the
day, but students are asked to dress appropriately: dark dress pants,
collared shirt and tie for the young men, dresses for the young women.
Perhaps the most important clothing decision for
the day, however, is shoes. Dress shoes and socks for the boys and
low-heeled dress shoes for the girls are the best choices; please, no
“flip-flops” or athletic shoes. Additionally, decorations on mortarboards
are absolutely prohibited. Note: The “collar” that comes with the
graduation gown will not be used.
Doors to the Carpenter Theater will open at 2:15 p.m.
Guests should enter through the front doors and must have a ticket to attend graduation. Seating is
not reserved. Handicap seating is available in multiple locations; please
see one of the ushers at the door upon arrival such seating is needed.
Parking for graduation is available at the VCU parking deck for a minimal fee
(entrances are on Cherry and Laurel Streets.) Please adhere to
posted street parking signs as ticketing and towing are strictly enforced.
Photographs during the ceremony are only allowed
from seats. The Altria Theater will not permit the audience to
spill into the aisles for this activity, and they enforce this restriction quite
seriously. However, Lifetouch will be taking pictures of each individual
student as he/she receives his/her diploma. This year, a proof picture
will be mailed directly to each family and be accessible on-line along with
ordering information.
Last but certainly not least, a brief reception for
students and their families will be held immediately after graduation in the downstairs
ballroom of Altria Theater. Graduation activities should conclude by 6:00 p.m.
Seniors:
When you arrive for graduation practice and graduation, please enter the
rear doors to the theatre. This entrance
will take you directly to the ballroom. Parents/family/friends must enter the
theatre through the main doors on N. Laurel Street.
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS AND PARKING TIPS FOR ALTRIA THEATER.
SENIORS TAKE NEXT STEPS
The time has come for the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School community to bid farewell and best wishes to the Class of 2015! It has been a truly remarkable four years since these students began their high school journeys as birght-eyed freshmen and now prepare to embark upon the next phase as young adults finding their way in the world.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEXT STEP FOR EACH GRADUATE.
DRAGONS CLINCH Girls Soccer CHAMPionship
MLWGS Girls
Soccer Team (15-5-0), coached by Ian Kelley and assisted by David Hillgrove,
clinched the Conference 33 Championship title May 29 with a 4-0 win over
Northampton High School. As of this writing they have outscored their opponents
27-0 in postseason play. A win over their second opponent in the Regionals,
Clark County High School on June 3, would guarantee them entrance to the State
playoffs over graduation weekend.
The team
has steadily improved throughout the season and has benefited from added depth
brought up from the JV squad for the tournaments. Coach Kelley built the squad
off of a strong defense with sophomore Grace Young (’17, Chesterfield) in the
goal, Mariah Macon (’15, Richmond) and Divia Kling (’15, Chesterfield) at right
and left defense, and co-captains Tessa Guinn (’15, Henrico) and Margaret
Graham (’15, Petersburg) sharing duties with Gabi Cao (’18, Chesterfield) at
center defense. Scoring has been achieved from players across the squad. Most
impressive this season is senior Caroline O'Brien's (’15, Henrico) 20 goals and
junior captain Claire Schweiker's (’16, Richmond) school record-breaking 17
assists.
MLWGS Students
Receive other Local Recognition
Ben Hazelton Receives Honorable Mention
Richmond Peace Education Essay Contest
The Richmond Peace Education Center has
announced the winners for its annual essay contest. Ben Hazelton (’18,
Henrico), received Honorable Mention for his entry. Ben is the only ninth
grader to win in this very competitive contest for the greater Richmond area.
He is a student in Ms. Surat’s World Literature class.
Follow the link below to read Ben’s essay, “The
Inspiration of the Everyday,” as well as those by all the winners including
Ben’s: http://www.rpec.org/programs/youth-programs/peace-essay-contest/
Riley Hammond Receives
1708
Gallery Award
Riley
Hammond (15, Richmond), won third place in this year’s Cindy Neuschwander award
from 1708 Gallery. She will receive a $1000 scholarship.
This is
the second year in a row a MLWGS students has won this honor. Last year,
Ella Konefal (’14) won first prize.
Hailey Akens, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Woman
of the Year
Each year, individuals throughout the
Richmond are nominated to participate in a special fundraising competition and
initiative for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year, MLWGS
nominated Hailey Akens (’15, Henrico) as a 2015 candidate. She
participated alongside eight other nominees in an intense ten-week-long
fundraising competition, with the titles of Man and Woman of the Year awarded
to the man and woman who raised the most funds in this strict ten-week
period. The campaign culminated with a Gala on May 8.
Hailey became the 2015 Woman of the
Year, raising an outstanding $20,000. This campaign served as an
opportunity for Hailey to pay tribute to Katie Anderson and all those battling
blood cancer before she heads off to Virginia Tech in the fall. Hailey
rallied support throughout the Maggie Walker community, and her story inspired
many all over Richmond and beyond!
It’s ever too early to think about
next year’s Spring break!
Costa Rica Trip – Spring Break 2016
Price includes:
·
Air fare
·
Ground transportation
·
Accommodations
·
Meals
·
Full time tour guides
·
Insurance
·
Activities
Students will spend 9 days exploring
the ecology, geology, history, and culture of Costa Rica. In Tortuguero
students will discover 11 different habitats, including nesting ground for sea
turtles. Then students will enjoy a unique perspective of the rainforest while
whitewater rafting and zip-lining in Sarapiqui. The next stop will be the
Arenal region, where students will study volcanic geology. The Arenal volcano
serves as a watershed for the lake, powers the hot springs, and supports the
majestic La Fortuna waterfall. The final destination is Guanacaste, where
students can explore Pacific beaches. They will also visit a cloud forest and
snorkel in a marine ecosystem. Of course, they will also have some free time to
experience local culture.
The approximate cost of the trip is
$2700.
Last issue of the Jabberwock
for 2014-15
The final
issue of the Jabberwock is available at the link below:
Look for
its return, like Smoke and Scales,
when school resumes in the fall.
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!
This is your final issue of Smoke and Scales for the 2014-2015 school year. It has been a pleasure to work with the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School community. Look for your next edition on Tuesday, September 1, 2015. Content submission for the 9/1 edition is due Friday, August 28, 2015 by 4 p.m. Have a great, safe summer!
-Your Smoke and Scales co-editors, Catherine Ingrassia and Nancy Turnage
